Nichelle Nichols is best known as ‘Lt. Uhura’ in the original television series, Star Trek.

Nichelle Nichols began her performing career in her home town, Chicago, at the tender age of 14. As a teenager she was discovered by the great Duke Ellington, who hired her to choreograph and perform a ballet for one of his musical suites, and finished the tour as his lead singer.

When Nichelle was cast by Gene Roddenberry to create ‘Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura’, fourth in command of the Starship Enterprise, in his legendary TV series Star Trek – in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King – it became “The first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history.” Nichelle subsequently co-starred in six blockbuster Star Trek motion pictures and is still in constant demand to appear before millions of “Trekkers” who keep the dream alive around the world.

Among her many notable TV and film credits, she co-starred with Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn in the Disney motion picture Snow Dogs, with Ron Perlman and Daniel Riordan in the TV film, Captain Zoom in Outer Space, and with Maxwell Caulfield and Levar Burton in the Sandy Howard film, The Supernaturals, as well as singing and dancing with Sammy Davis Jr. in Porgy and Bess. Nichelle also co-starred on the NBC blockbuster television series, Heroes as Micah’s grandmother, ‘Nana’ in the New Orleans storyline during Season 2.

She was twice nominated for the coveted Sarah Siddons Award for Best Actress for her performances in the theatre productions of Jenet’s The Blacks and the Oscar Brown Jr. musical, Kicks and Company.

Nichelle was awarded her much deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 1992. Just a few weeks before she became the first African-American to place her handprints and signature in the cement walk at the famous Mann’s (Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre along with her other command crew members of the Starship Enterprise, who were also honored in a special exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, an unprecedented accolade for the entertainment industry.

Nichelle’s public service activities have been equally outstanding. In 1977 and 1978, under contract to NASA, Nichelle took on the daunting task to successfully recruit the first women and minority astronauts for the Space Shuttle Program, for which she received NASA’s distinguished Public Service Award for her pioneering efforts.

Nichelle is currently working with filmmaker Gilbert Bell on his new film project, Omaha Street. Omaha Street will be shot with Nichelle serving in the dual role of Executive Producer and co-star.

Nichelle looks forward to meeting all her fans in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Nichelle will conduct a general admission Q&A panel each weekend, and participate in signing and photo sessions* throughout each Saturday (10:30am to 5:30pm) and Sunday (11:00am to 5:00pm) in both cities. Please see the event guide for times and locations.